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Our Father in Heaven
by Anne Simpson A woman's view of her Heavenly Father is often tainted by her view of her earthly father. A cold and distant father? A cold and distant God. Likewise, a generous, loving father renders her view of God as generous and loving as well. How about you? What was your father like? A stern disciplinarian? Strict but loving? Gentle and quiet? Fun-loving and playful? Now, how do you view God as He relates to you on a daily basis? Faithful, but far removed from the details of your life? A stern judge who demands punishment for every infraction? Or a loving God Who guides you through all of life's valleys and mountains? It is a heavy burden to place on a human father, that of portraying the Heavenly Father to his children. No matter how loving or wise a father may be, he could never adequately demonstrate the truth of Who our Heavenly Father is and what He is like. Of course, the truth is found in God's Word He often refers to Himself as our father (Galatians 4:6), and tells us in great detail exactly what He is like and how He feels about us, His children. If you ever find yourself projecting your father's qualities onto your perception of God, turn to these passages for the truth: Our Father in Heaven 1. cares for even the smallest of His children. Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 2. protects and cares for those who have no earthly father. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. Psalms 68:5 You [God] are the helper of the fatherless. Psalms 10:14b 3. gives good gifts to His children. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 4. is perfect and holy; He never sins. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 Because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:16 5. meets the needs of His children. Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:27 For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:32,33 6. is both merciful and just. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14, 15 7. in His mercy gives us salvation and the hope of eternal life by the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1-3-5 Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:4 8. teaches us about Himself. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17 9. gives grace and peace. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:2 10. must discipline His children. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:7 11. deserves glory. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6 Anne Simpson, stay-at-home-mom to one toddler and one on the way, loving wife to a loving husband, faithful member of a local church, prone-to-wander child of God Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |